STATISTICS gathered by the International Union of Railway (UIC) for 2010 show an overall growth of 3.4% in tonne-km and 3.5% in passenger-km worldwide. This confirms the recovery in freight traffic following the slump of 2008-09, while passenger traffic declines in some countries were compensated by strong growth in India.
STATISTICS gathered by the International Union of Railway (UIC) for 2010 show an overall growth of 3.4% in tonne-km and 3.5% in passenger-km worldwide. This confirms the recovery in freight traffic following the slump of 2008-09, while passenger traffic declines in some countries were compensated by strong growth in India.
Russia, which accounts for nearly 22% of global railfreight, recorded an 8% increase in tonne-km last year. Indian Railways did even better with 9% growth, while Kazakhstan Railways had an 8% increase in tonne-km. China, on the other hand, only achieved a 3% rise in freight traffic.
The United States and Canada, which represent 30% of global railfreight traffic, saw a 4% increase in tonne-km, while Europe (excluding the countries of the former Soviet Union) recorded 7% growth.
Passenger traffic was much more volatile ranging from an 8% increase in passenger-km in India, to virtual stagnation in China and Europe and a 9% fall in Russia.
